Southwest Berlin Faces Power Crisis Amid Arson Attack: Thousands Left Without Heat and Light

As the new year begins, thousands of residents in southwest Berlin are grappling with a severe power outage following an arson attack that has left them without heating and electricity during frigid winter conditions. This crisis was triggered in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district, where the power failure has affected numerous schools and households. Many families are expected to endure this distressing situation for several days, with the first week of the year unfolding far differently than anticipated for local students and parents. The damage to the power grid has been extensive, with the operator Stromnetz Berlin stating that full restoration may not be completed until Thursday afternoon at the earliest. Initial reports indicated that approximately 45,000 households and over 2,200 businesses were impacted by the outage, although efforts on Monday evening had brought some relief, reconnecting around 14,500 households and 500 commercial users. As families find themselves in the cold without access to hot meals or heating, parents are relying on emergency care facilities at other schools, while nurseries remain closed amid the chaos. For those unable to find refuge with friends or family in different parts of the city, the challenge of navigating the New Year in such difficult circumstances has proven to be overwhelming. In response to the crisis, local authorities, police, and rescue services are stretching their resources to help alleviate the situation. The Bundeswehr has stepped in to provide additional support in what has now been classified as a major disaster in Berlin. Despite the efforts, many are still suffering as they attempt to manage their daily lives without basic utilities. The outage began early Saturday morning due to a suspected politically motivated attack on power cables at a bridge over the Teltow Canal, targeting the Lichterfelde power plant. Authorities have confirmed the authenticity of a claim received from a group of suspected left-wing extremists, who articulated their motives in a lengthy letter titled 'Cutting Off Power to the Rulers.' In it, they condemned the exploitation of natural resources by the fossil energy industry. Berlin's Economic Senator, Franziska Giffey, has assured that measures are in place to secure the water and sewage supply, utilizing emergency power generators. There is a priority to ensure that essential services, such as senior care facilities and supermarkets, regain power well before the week concludes. Although several large hospitals managed to restore power thanks to backup generators, many vulnerable individuals, including those requiring care at home, are still impacted by this outage. Emergency shelters have been organized to provide a safe haven for those in need, as the community bands together to navigate through this challenging period. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2